System for recording meter operations.



c. 'I'. H-ALL. SYSTEM FOR RECORDING METER OPERATIONS.- APPL1CA'T!0N FILED MAR. 10, l9l.' RENEWED jULY I4, 1916.

1,443 PatentedApr. 3, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

CONSTANT Zdneasea- J t Cheaber'l Hall J76 tor/lays C E. HALL.

SYSTEM FOR RECORDING METER OPERATIONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-10, i913- RENEWED JULY 14, 1915- ,22"1 443 Patented Apr. 3,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Zfnmsses; I722 n Z0" Chesterf Hal! UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

CHESTER I. HALL, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO ELECTRIC METER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SYSTEM FOR RECORDING METER OPERATIONS.

Application filed March 10, 1913, Serial No..753,256. Renewed July 14, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER I. HALL, a

, citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Systems for Recordlng Meter Operations, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improved mechanism by which the electricity measured by.

a plurality of electricity meters may be re corded by means of a single recording mechanism which operates to indicate the total electricity measured by all of said meters.

, My invention is particularly adapted to recording devices in which electromagnetic mechanism is actuated by a mete-ring device when a certain quantity of current or energy has been metered and by my invention I provide against the possibility of current impulses from different ones of the meters acting upon the recording devices simultaneously, although the impulses may be simultaneously sent from the metering devices.

My invention further consists in mechanism for printing a record from the recording devices periodically by means of timecontrolled apparatus.

These and other objects of my invention will appear more specifically by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of the mechanism employed for receiving the impulses from the meters, either successively or simultaneously, and transferring them to the recording mechanism successively so that the re cording mechanism in every case indicates the true sum of the meter readings.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows in a view similar to Fig. 2 the impulse transferring mechanism in its alternate position.

Fig. 4L is a diagrammatic view of the circuit connections employed between four meters and the impulse transferring mechanism and in this view there is also shown diagrammatically recording mechanism adapted to be actuated by said impulses.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in Fig. 1, my device consists of Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 109,392.

a constant speed motor 1, provided with a worm 2 upon its rotating shaft, which worm meshes with a worm wheel 3 rigidly carried by a shaft 4 supported in suitable bearings, one of which, 5, is shown. The shaft l has secured thereto a plurality of crank arms 6, 6, 6", (3, provided with rollers 7, 7 7 7 These crank arms are separated from each other angularly by such an amount that they are substantially equally space-d and they are retained in this position by means of suitable set screws, as indicated; The rollers, 7, 7, 7" and, 7 operate impulse transferring mechanisms, 8, 8, 8 and 8 of which one is provided for each of the meters, the operation of which is to be recorded by the record ing mechanism.

The impulse transferring mechanisms 8, 8 8 8 are of identical construction, as a result of which it will be necessary to explain in detail but one of them, as, for example, the one shown at 8. Each of these devices consists of a suitable base upon which is mounted an electromagnet 9, having an 15 and 16, so disposed relatively to the shaft 4: that the roller 7 passes over the ends of the springs when in its lowermost position and, when the armature 10 is in its attracted position, the right-hand ends of the contact springs 15 and 16 are raised sufliciently so that the spring 15 is depressed by the roller 7 into engagement with the spring 16. A spring latch 17 pivoted to the base at 18 and actuated by a spring 19 is provided to engage the armature 10 when it is moved to its attracted position by the energization of the electromagnet 9 and to hold said armature in said position until the latch is subsequently gaged by the roller 7 to" depress the latch 17 from engagement with the armature 10, the rotation of the crank 6 being in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2 and 3.

From the above description, it will appear that the electromagnets of the impulse transferring mechanisms 8, 8*, 8 and 8 may be energized either successively or simultane- 1 ously and that in either case the armatures of these impulse transferring mechanisms will be attracted and retained in attracted position until released by the successiveengagement of the rollers 7, 7, 7*, 7 with the (cams carried by the latches of said impulse transferring. mechanism. From the construction described, it will appear that this successive engagement between the rollers 7,

7 7 b and 7 c with the latches isimmediately after the contact springs of the impulse sending mechanisms have been pressed together by the corresponding rollers and that, therefore, the mechanism described consti tutes a means for sending successive impulses into any desired totalizing mechanism corresponding in number to the impulses Which energized. the electromagnets of the impulse transferring mechanisms. The motor 1 and the gearing 2. and 3 are designed in every case so that the shaft4 will make one rotation in considerably less time than the shortest time which can occur between 'successive energizations of any one of the electromagnets of the impulse transferring mechanisms. Obviously, as many impulse transferring mechanisms may be operated from the single shaft \4 asdesired, the only requirement being that the cranks be pracare not brought together during this period and, therefore, during that time there is no operation of that particular impulse trans-- ferring mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 4, four electricity meters are indicated diagrammatically at 21, 21 21 and 21 and, in the particular embodiment herein. shown, each metering mechanism is arranged so that a rotating shaft 22 actuates spring contacts 23 and 24 every time a predetermined amount of electricity has been measured so that said contacts are brought into engagement with each other for an instant and immediately separated, so that "Le circuit controlled by these contacts may {closed only for such a length of time as is required to actuate the electromagnet of theumpulse transferring mechanism, re-

gardIessQof the speed of operation of the shaft 22.\ ..Th1s contact mechanism consists preferably in an insulatingsupport, as indicated, and operate as follows: When the end of the spring 29 passes from engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 25, the fiexure of the spring moves the weight 30 downward with considerable momentum, which is imparted to the spring 23 and thus to the weight 31, moving these parts down into engagement with the contact spring 24 which latter spring is stiff compared with the springs 23 and 29. The rebound of the weight 31 from this contact spring 24 is absorbed by the weight 30 so. that a rebound downward on the part of the contact spring 23 is avoided and thusa single engagement between the contact sprin s 23 and 24 results for each tooth of the ratchet wheel 25 which passes under the right-hand end of the spring 29. This particular contact mechanism is not claimed in the present application as it forms the subject-matter of a copending application.

The spring contact 23 is connected by wire 32 with one terminal of the battery 33 and the spring contact 24 is connectedby wire 34 wlth one terminal of the electromagnet 9,

the other terminal of which is connected by wire 35 with the other terminal of the battery The electromagnets 9, 9 and 9 of. theother impulse transferring mechanisms are similarly connected with the contact mechanism actuated by the meters 21, 21", and 21. The contact springs 15 of the impulse transferring mechanism 8 is connected by wire 36 with one terminal of the battery 33, the other terminal of which is connected, by Wire 37 with one terminal of the electromagnet 38 of the recording mechanism. The

other contact spring 16 of the impulse transferring mechanism 8 is connected by wire 39 with the other terminal of the electromagnet 38. The contact springs of the'other impulse transferring mechanisms are similarly connected by wires 36 and 39 with the electromagnet 38 of the recording mechanism.

The recording mechanism, as indicated diagrammatically, consists of a plurality of printing wheels 40 mounted upon a shaft 41, actuated by a ratchet wheel 42 by means of a pawl 43 carried by, the lever 44. The lever 44 is pivotally supported at 45 so that its lower end serves as an armature for the electromagnet 38 and, when not attracted by said electromagnet, the lever is moved to its retracted position by a spring 46. Thus, successive energizations of the electromagnet 38 serve to advance the shaft 41 by a step-by-step movement and thus the printin'g Wheels 40, between which carry-over mechanism is preferably employed in a manner Well-known in the 'art, although for the sake of clearness this carry-over mechanism is omitted in Fig. 45. A printing magnet 47 adapted to be energized from a battery 49 Whenever the contacts 50 and 51 are closed by means of time-controlled mechanism 52 is provided to move a record strip 53 against the printing Wheels 40. The time-controlled mechanism 52 is indicated diagrammatically and may consist of any devices adapted to periodically bring the contacts 50 and 51 into engagement With each other to thus give successive readings from the printing Wheels at equal time intervals from each other. The worm 27, Worm Wheel 28 and the ratchet Wheel 25 are so proportioned that the impulses sent by the contacts 23 and 24 and subsequently recorded by the printing wheels 40 correspond to the actuation of the corresponding meter, so that the printed record is an indication, if desired, Without further calculation, of the amount of flow through the meter.

From the description given above, it will appear that each metering mechanism actuates the contacts associated directly therewith to energize the elcctromagnet of its im pulse transferring mechanism and that, as

- often as this occurs, the next rotation of the shaft 4 first moves the contacts 15 andl6 into engagement With each other, thus energizing the actuating magnet 38 of'the recording mechanism and, immediately thereafter, releases the armature 10 of the impulse transferring mechanism, leaving it free to receive the next impulse from the metering mechanism.

As the speed of rotation of the shaft 4 is sufiiciently rapid so that it makes one rotation in considerably less time than the shortest time which can occur between successive actuations of the contact mechanism of any one of the metering devices, it fol lows that all of the impulses sent from the metering devices to the impulse transferring mechanisms Will be transferred successively through the wires 36 and 39 to the actuating magnet 38 of the recording mechanism, as a result of which the printing Wheels 40 will at all times indicate the sum of the amounts of actuation of the metering devices and the records made by the operation of the recording magnet 47 Will indicate the value of this sum at regularly recurring intervals of time.

It will be understood that, While I have shown my invention in the particular embodiment herein described, I do not, however, limit myself to these constructions, as many changes may be made Without depart- 1ng from the spirit of my invention. The essential feature of my invention is that the actuations of a plurality of metering mechanisms, occurring either regularly or irregularly, may be automatically transferred and integrated in a common totalizing device and also any mechanism for accomplishing this result electrically regard less of the nature of the metering devices or of the recording mechanism.

Vhat I claim is 1. In a system for-recording meter operation, the combination of individual contact mechanism to be actuated by each of a plurality of meters, a common recording mechanism having an electromagnetic actuating mechanism, and an impulse transferring mechanism for each meter comprising an electromagnet actuated bythe meter contacts, and contact mechanism for controlling the actuating electromagnetic mechanism of the recording mechanism.

:2. In a system for recording meter operation, the combination of individual contact mechanism to be actuated by each of a. plurality of meters, a common recording mechanism having an electromagnetic actuating mechanism, and an impulse transferring mechanism for each meter comprising an electromagnet actuated by the meter-contacts, contact mechanism for controlling the actuating electromagnetic mechanism of the recording mechanism, and devices foractuating the contacts of the impulse transferring mechanisms successively.

3. In a system for recording the actuations of a plurality of meters, the combination of contact mechanism for each meter, an electromagnet and controlling circuit connections for each contact mechanism, a locking device for each magnet, contacts for each magnet, recording mechanism having an electromagnetic actuating device, circuit connections extending from the contacts of each magnet to the actuating electromagnetic mechanism of the recording device.

4. In a system for recording the actuations of a plurality of meters, the combination of contact mechanism for each meter, an electromagnet and controlling circuit connections for each contact mechanism, a locking device for each magnet, contacts for each magnet, recording mechanism having an electromagnetic actuating device, circuit connections extending from the contacts of 'each magnet to the actuating electromagnetic mechanism of the recording device, and devices for successively operating the contacts associated with each magnet and releasing the associated locking mechanism.

5. In asystem for recording the actuations of a plurality of meters, the combina- 'tion of contact mechanism for each meter,

an electromagnet and controlling circuit connections for each contact mechanism, a

' locking device for each magnet, contacts for .eachmagnet, recording mechanism having an electromagnetic actuating device, circuit connections extending from the contacts of each magnet to the actuating electromagnetic mechanism of the recording device, and devices for successively operating the contacts associated with each magnet and releasing the associated locking mechanism, the operation of .each magnet, serving to .move its contacts into position to be actuated by said devices to operate the electromagnetic. actuatmg mechanism of the recording mechanism.

6. In a system for recording meter operation, the combination of individual contact mechanism to be actuated by each of a plurality of meters, a common recording mechanism having an electromagnetic actuating mechanism, and an impulse transferring mechanism' for each meter comprising an electromagnet actuated by the meter con tacts, contact mechanism for controlling the actuating electromagnetic mechanism of the recording mechanism, and time-controlled mechanism for making records from the recording mechanism at regularly recurring intervals.

7. In a system for recording meteroperation, the combination of individual contact mechanism to be actuated by each of a plurality of meters, a common recording mechanism having an electromagnetic actuating mechanism, and an impulse transferring mechanism for each meter comprising an electromagnet actuated by the meter contacts, contact mechanism for controlling the actuating electromagnetic mechanism of the recording mechanism, devices for actuating the contacts of the impulse transferring mechanism successively, and time-controlled mechanism for making records from the recording mechanism at regularly recurring intervals.

S. In a system for recording the operation of a plurality of meters, the combination of a plurality of transferring mechanisms, one

for eachmeter, connections between each meter and-its transferring mechanism for communicating to said transferring mechanism the actuation'of the meter, =-rec0rding mechanism, and devices for transferring the meter actuations from the transferring mechanisms to the recor ing mechanism.

9. In a system for recording the operation of a plurality of meters, the combination of a plurality of transferring mechanisms, one for each meter, connections between each meter and its transferring mechanism for communicating to said transferring mechanism the actuation of the meter,'

recording mechanism, and devices for successively transferring the meter actuations from thetransferring mechanisms to the recording mechanism.

10. In a system for recording the operation of a plurality of meters, the combination of a plurality of transferring mechanisms, one for each meter, connections between each meterand its transferring mechanism for communicating to said transfer ring mechanism the actuation of the meter, recording mechanism, and devices for trans ferring the meter actuations from the transferring mechanisms to the recording mecln nism, whereby the recording. mechanism will indicate the sum of the actuations of the several meters.

11. In a system for recording the opera- 4 'for each meter, electrical connections between themeters and lmpulse transferring,

mechanisms for operating said impulse transferring mechanisms either successively or simultaneously as the case may be, a recording mechanism for indicating the total actuations of the meters, and electrical connections between" the impulse transfer ring mechanisms and the recording mechanism for successively actuating said recording mechanism.

13. In an impulse transferring mechanism, the combination of an electromagnet, an armature, contacts mounted upon said armature, and a contact operating device engaging one of said contacts when said armature is in its attracted position but not when-said armature is in its retracted position.

14. In an impulse transferring mechanism, the'combination of an electromagnet, an armature, contacts mounted upon said armature, a contact operating device engaging one of said contacts when said armature is in its attracted position but not when said armature is in its retracted position, and a locking device for said armatune. V

15. In an impulse transferring mechanism, the combination of an electromagnet, an armature, contacts mounted upon said armature, a contact operating device engaging one of said contacts when said armature ng mechanism in the path of said rotor is in its attracted position but not when said armature is in its retracted position, and a locking device for said armature, said contact operating device engaging said look ing device after operating the contacts to move thelocking device to release said armature.

16. In an impulse transferring mechanism, the combination of an electromagnet, a rotor having cyclic motion, and switching mechanism moved into the-path of said rotor by energization of said electromagnet.

In an impulse transferring mechanism, the combination of an electromagnet, a rotor having cyclic motion, switching mechanism movedinto the path of said .rotor by energizatin of said electromagnet, and a locking device for holding the switching mechanism in the path of upon actuation of said electromagnet.

18. Inan impulse transferring mechanism, the combination of an electromagnet,

a rotor having cyclic motion,

rotor by energization of'said electromagnet, and a locking device for holding the switchupon actuation of said electromagnet, movement of said rotor to actuate said switchlease the locking mechanism. g 19. In an impulse transferring mechaing mechanism serving tosubsequently renism, the combination of a plurality of devices each comprising an e1ec'tromagn'et,'

switching mechanism movedto an operative .position by actuation of said magnet, and

mechanism, for actuating said switching mechanisms when 'in their operative positions.

' 20. In an impulse transferring mechanism, the combination of a plurality of de vices 'each comprising an electromagnet,

switching mechanism moved to an operative position by actuation of said magnet, and mechanism for successively actuating said switching mechanisms when "in their operative positions.

.21. In an impulse transferring mecha nism, the combination of a plurality of devices each comprising an electromagnet,

switching mechanism moved to an opera tive position by actuation of said magnet,

mechanism for successively actuating said switching mechanisms when in their operative positions, and a locking device for holding each switching mechanism in its operative position, the actuation of the switching mechanisms by the actuating mechanism serving to release said lockingdevices.

22. In an impulse transferring mechanism, the combination of a plurality of devices, each comprising an electromagnet, an armature, and contacts carried by said armature, a rotary shaft, and crank arms carried by said shaft for engaging said contacts.

said rotor switching member and -means controlled "ture, and a locking device for holding the armature in its attracted position, a rotary shaft, and crank arms carried bysaid shaftfor successively engaging said contacts and releasing said locking devices;

25. In combination a plurality of meters, movable elements for said meters, setting of said elements being controlled by registration of a predetermined unii't upon said meters, a register, having a testing member adapted to test said elements, said elements beihg adapted-when set to engage said testing member and means controlled by engagesaid testing member with one of said elements for causing actuation of said register.

26. In combination a plurality of meters, a plurality of relays, movable elements adapted to beset by energization of said-relays, contacts for controlling said relays, said contacts being operated by said meters, testin'g member for engaging said elements when the same are set, a registering device, means including a circuit having suitable contacts for operating said registering device controlled by engagement of said testing member with one of said elements.

27. In combination a plurality of independently actuated primary meters or registers, an accumulating meter or register, a testing member movable in a pre-determined path each of said element movable by registration of a predetermined value thereupon, into the said path of the testing member, and means controlled by engagement of said testing movable element for actuating said accumulating meter or register.

28. In combination a plurality of independently actuated primary registers, an accumulating register, a testing member movable in a predetermined path, each of said primary registers having an element movable by registration of a predetermined value into the path of said testing member, by engagement of said testing member with a movable element for actuating said accumulating register and means to restore each movable element.

.29. In combination, a plurality of independently actuated primary elements, a registering device, a movable testing member having a predetermined path of movement, a contact element normally out of the path of said testing member, each of said primary primary meters having an elements having means adapted to be actuated upon predetermined conditions for causing the corresponding contact element to intersect the path of said testing member, and means governed by engagement of said testing member and an intersecting one of said contact elements for actuating said register.

30. In combination, a register, a moving testing device, a plurality of normally retracted fingers adapted to be set into the path of said testing device, means governed by engagement of said testing device and one of said fingers for operating said register.

31. In combination, a register, a movable testing device, a plurality of normally retracted fingers adapted to be set into the path of said testing device, means governed by engagement of said testing device and one of said fingers for operating said regis ter, and means operated after contact of said testing device and one of said fingers for permitting said finger to be retracted.

. In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 3rd day of March, A. D.

CHESTER I. HALL.

Witnesses:

LESLIE W. FRICKE, LEONARD W. NovANonR. 

